WWE Legend Admits He Doesn't Like Royal Rumble Matches

You might love WWE's Royal Rumble, but this former World Champion most certainly doesn't...

by Andy H Murray
Steve Austin silhouette
WWE

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin isn't a fan of the Royal Rumble.

A new interview with FOX Sports' Ryan Satin saw the wrestling legend get asked if he could share some of his favourite Rumble memories. The 56-year-old answered with the following:-

"I won three Royal Rumbles, but I didn’t really like Royal Rumbles, because there’s so much going on. So many things that can’t go wrong because everything’s gotta work out. You know what I’m speaking of, without just spelling it out. I’ll never forget in San Diego at my first Royal Rumble. I was supposed to be the fourth guy left in the ring and Rikishi, or somebody, gave me a clothesline and the ropes were so baby oiled up from everybody wearing baby oil, I slipped. There was a bunch of guys in the ring and I went out way early. I hit the ground, and I’m still pretty new in the company at this time, Ryan, but they’re gonna try to keep me in the Rumble, so they’re giving me a little bit of a push and I blew it!"

Austin is the only three-time winner in Royal Rumble history, taking WWE's signature over-the-top-rope battle royal in 1997, 1998, and finally 2001. Winning the 1998 and 2001 matches saw him go on to become WWE Champion at WrestleMania.

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'Stone Cold's' comments come just over three weeks before the Rumble's latest instalment. It remains one of the most popular events on the WWE calendar, though perhaps Austin's stance shouldn't be considered a huge surprise, given the number of moving parts involved in these 30-person battles.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.